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Stormwater runoff can cause flooding and pollution, harming aquatic species and humans. Man-made surfaces prevent rainwater from being absorbed by soil, carrying sediment and pollutants to nearby bodies of water. Drainage systems, retention basins, and laws regulating hazardous materials can mitigate negative effects.
Stormwater runoff is generally thought of as excess rain and snowmelt moving to the surface of the land rather than being absorbed by the soil. This excess water typically ends up in a nearby lake, stream, or river. Flooding and pollution are the two main reasons for controlling stormwater runoff. Sediment from stormwater flooding can destroy the habitat of many aquatic species, while polluted runoff can have undesirable effects on humans, animals, fish and plants. The negative effects of stormwater runoff can be mitigated through the installation of drainage systems and retention basins, as well as passing laws regulating the outdoor use and disposal of hazardous materials.
Man-made waterproof surfaces such as sidewalks, buildings and roofs prevent rainwater from naturally penetrating the ground. During a rainstorm, water runs off these surfaces and down into the nearest stream, river, or lake. As rainwater moves along the ground, it erodes the soil and carries sediment to nearby bodies of water. Along the way, this runoff also picks up pollutants such as chemicals, bacteria and pathogens and deposits them in sewers, rivers and streams. The mix of sediments and pollutants contained in stormwater runoff can have adverse effects on the natural environment.
Sediment from stormwater runoff typically clouds the water in streams and lakes, making it very difficult for aquatic vegetation to grow and thrive. Runoff from lawns and gardens often contains elements of commercial fertilizers and pesticides that can poison marine life. Humans and animals can sometimes get sick from eating these contaminated fish. Large volumes of stormwater runoff can often fill sanitary sewer pipes and cause untreated wastewater to overflow into nearby lakes and rivers. People who swim in these contaminated bodies of water can then become ill from the bacteria contained in the sewage-laden runoff.
Several measures can be taken to control the negative effects of stormwater runoff. Well-designed drainage systems are usually able to collect stormwater runoff before it has the opportunity to become polluted or cause flooding. Detention ponds can be constructed near large parking lots to quickly contain runoff during downpours and allow it to be absorbed into the soil of the ponds. Ecological pesticides and fertilizers are also available for private and commercial use. In many localities, laws have been enacted regulating the disposal of hazardous and toxic materials to help control pollution caused by runoff.
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